Ferrari’s 550 Maranello heralded a return to the company’s roots in the grandest fashion. A two-seat, front-engined V-12 coupé had been absent from the company’s line-up since the 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The decision was made to revive the format as a replacement for Ferrari’s mid-engine, flat-12 models. The result was an improvement over the outgoing F512 M, as it boasted superior performance, a larger and more comfortable interior, and a boot that could easily hold enough luggage for a weeklong road trip for two.

Like the Daytona, the 550 Maranello’s success warranted the production of a limited-edition variant. It was decided that this car would be a homage to some of Ferrari’s earliest and most desirable cars. First displayed at the 2000 Paris Motor Show, the 550 Barchetta was a barchetta in the truest sense. With only a rudimentary soft top for emergency use when caught in the rain, it featured a shorter, more aggressively raked windshield, two-piece alloy wheels, an aluminium fuel-filler cap, and a restyled boot that was, surprisingly, larger than that of the coupé. All 550 Barchettas were equipped with racing seats, optional extras in the 550 Maranello, and only 448 examples would be built. These cars instantly became the most desirable variants of the 550 platform, prized for their stunning good looks and the top-down driving thrills that they provided.

Finished in traditional Ferrari Rosso Corsa with a black interior, this example certainly has to be one of the finest in existence. It is presented here in virtually as-new condition, with just 393 kilometres from new. Furthermore, it retains not only its proper set of books and tools, but also its original racing helmets, items which frequently remain with the first owner and are seldom passed along with the cars to their future custodians.

Wonderfully usable yet unique enough to still provide a sense of occasion every time one slides into the driver’s seat, the 550 Barchetta is truly an incredible car to own and behold, and one that never tires of provided top-down fun in the sun. This particular example is truly museum-quality and is worthy of the finest Ferrari collections in the world.